For Friends of all ages:

Volunteer Roles at YAF Retreats

With the YAF Coordinator, identify people to serve as volunteer Head Cooks for each meal.

With the Head Cooks, determine what meals will be made, taking into account the registration numbers and dietary needs. Calculate how much of each ingredient will be needed & compile a shopping list (Getting ideas from Head Cooks is an good way of motivating people to volunteer to help cook. Many have a favorite meal they like to make. So why not share it with everyone at the retreat?!)

Shop for food the Friday morning/afternoon of the retreat (usually with another volunteer or Elizabeth)

Check in with the Head Cooks, make sure they have what they needs & that only the intended ingredients are used at each meal time.

Be in charge of the kitchen in-between meals – making coffee & putting out snacks in the afternoon & evening, make sure food is put away at night.

The Food Coordinator receives a full workgrant to attend the retreat, as well as a small stipend.

Let the Food Coordinator & YAF Coordinator know what you want to make and what ingredients you need. You can ask for ideas!

Prep ingredients so that the meal will be served on time. You can always ask a friend to chop with you while you chat.

About 30 minutes before the meal, you’ll have a crew of 3-5 people to help you cook and set up the meal – delegate tasks to them.

Leave the kitchen so that it’s easy for the clean-up crew to know what to do

When our retreat location isn’t easy walking distance from public transit, we need volunteers to drive to the station to pick up YAFs

Worship sharing groups are also the groups doing meal prep & cleanup, so be on time to your work crew & make sure members of your group know to be present.

Help remind Friends when program begins, when it’s time to clean up, and generally supporting the group to stay on the schedule.

Identify someone to do a wake-up call in the morning (singing is always a lovely way to wake YAFs up!)

The Message Fairy sets up an area where people can send one another anonymous (or not) notes, appreciations, and affirmations! The Message Fairy reminds folks to send messages, and delivers the messages, bringing joy to all!

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About Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting is a Quaker faith community, an association of over 100 Quaker meetings, and an organization - all working together to nurture Quaker faith and practice in today’s world.

Quakerism is a faith of personal experience and direct communion with God, a faith of continuing revelation; and a faith of living our values in the secular world. All who seek to deepen their spiritual lives are welcome!